How to Build a Real Estate Side Hustle While Working Full-Time

Ashley worked as a senior project manager in corporate America for 15 years before a layoff pushed her into full-time investing. While still employed, she ran successful flips on the side by managing contractors remotely, setting clear weekly check-ins, and using her W-2 income to secure funding and build credit.

🏘️ A Real-Life Fix-and-Flip: From Corporate Paycheck to Profit
Her early flips in Dothan, Alabama showed how choosing a lower-cost market and hiring a trustworthy general contractor can make out-of-state investing practical. She used Kiavi (formerly LendingHome) for financing, store credit cards for materials, and focused on light cosmetic rehabs—paint, flooring, and kitchens—to stay fast and profitable.

💼 Lessons Learned from a Corporate Layoff
Instead of panicking, Ashley saw her layoff as freedom. With a few properties under her belt, she realized flipping could replace her salary. Her disciplined systems and risk management mindset helped her shift smoothly into full-time real estate without missing a beat.

🔑 Key Takeaways for W-2 Professionals and Business Owners

Start investing before you need the income.

Treat your contractors like partners—they make or break your business.

Use your W-2 to build credit and qualify for loans.

Keep your job performance high while your side hustle grows quietly.

🧭 Coaching Round: Ashley’s Advice for New Investors
For New Investors: Learn how to calculate ARV yourself—don’t depend on agents or wholesalers.
Balancing Work, Life, and Real Estate: Build a trustworthy team so you can step back and focus on strategy.
If You’re Starting with Little Money: Focus on credit—good credit opens doors when cash is tight.
Why Passive Investing Can Be a Smart Start: Earn while you learn—cash flow and tax benefits make real estate one of the most powerful long-term wealth vehicles.

📚 Book Recommendations

Eat That Frog – Brian Tracy

Mindset – Carol Dweck

The Hands-Off Investor – Brian Burke

Most people think you must quit your job to succeed in real estate, but Andrew Freed proves otherwise. From using a HELOC on his Boston condo to scaling 240+ units, he shows how W-2 professionals can balance careers while building wealth through multifamily, syndications, and creative financing.

📘 From W-2 to 240+ Units
Andrew started as a project manager on the W-2 path. During COVID, Rich Dad Poor Dad sparked a mindset shift. Realizing his net worth was tied to one condo, he tapped a $200K HELOC, house-hacked, JV’d into small multifamily, and expanded into syndications—growing from 30 to 240+ units in 3.5 years.

⏳ Investing While Keeping a W-2
Andrew focused on time management with 7 Habits, prioritizing urgent/important tasks and cutting wasted hours. He used his W-2 income to qualify for loans and house hacks, building bank credibility. His advice: don’t rush to quit—use your job as leverage.

🏘️ A 39-Unit Deal
In Worcester, a 39-unit portfolio projected $1.5M equity but hit turbulence when a bank changed terms, demanding a full year of reserves in escrow. Andrew pivoted to private lending, closed in weeks, and is stabilizing for a $7M refinance. Lesson: even “perfect” deals need flexibility, creativity, and strong partnerships.

💡 Rules Before Quitting Your Job

• Target ~2× monthly overhead—cash flow is lumpy.
• Keep active income—flips, brokerage, lending, side hustles.
• Don’t rush—Andrew delayed leaving his W-2; opportunities grew after, but the transition was tough.

🎯 Key Takeaways

• Start with house hacks, duplexes, or small multifamily.
• Use your W-2 to qualify—banks value steady income.
• Build systems early—processes save time and allow scale.
• Delegate low-value tasks to focus on high-dollar activities.
• Partnerships accelerate growth—bring time, money, or expertise.

🧭 Coaching Round

• For New Investors: Define goals—active (finding deals, raising capital) vs. passive (providing capital).
• Balancing Career & Family: Double down on strengths—analysis, networking, or ops. Passion sustains energy.
• If Starting Small: Network nonstop, join masterminds, add value via underwriting, sourcing, or raising capital.
• Why Passive Investing Works: Steady cash flow, diversification, and tax benefits like cost segregation (consult a CPA).

📚 Books

• Mindset — Carol Dweck
• The Hands-Off Investor — Brian Burke
• 10x Is Easier Than 2x — Hardy & Sullivan

📚 Final Thoughts
Andrew Freed proves you don’t need to quit your W-2 to thrive in real estate. By leveraging time, systems, and partnerships, he turned a condo HELOC into 240+ units. His journey—both wins and setbacks—offers a roadmap: don’t chase job security, chase financial security.

Website: https://ericlindseyml.com/
Click On The Link Below To Schedule A Call With Eric:https://calendly.com/moonlightequitiesgroup/scheduled-conversation
Click On The Link Below For More Information About Eric Lindsey:
https://linktr.ee/ericlindsey

Guest: Hayato Hori, Managing Partner at Red Brick Equity
Focus: How to start and scale real estate investing on the side—actively or passively—while keeping your W-2 or main business strong.

Starting Out: From W-2 to Real Estate

At 21, Hayato bought his first rental in Memphis while working at Hyperloop. The $200/month cash flow wasn’t enough, so he shifted to wholesaling, scaling to 10–15 deals a month.

The Shift: From Wholesaling to Wealth Building

Watching institutional buyers scale to $1B+ by holding properties, Hayato pivoted to multifamily. Now, as co-founder of Red Brick Equity, he targets Midwest multifamily, recently closing a 26-unit in Chicago with a 24-unit pipeline.

How to Invest While Working Full-Time

• Start Small: Use W-2 income for rentals or passive syndications.
• Know Financing: Understand loan products for leverage.
• Build a Team: PMs, contractors, advisors.
• Keep Reserves: Expect surprises.
• Leverage Partnerships: Shared deals can scale faster.

Active vs. Passive

• Active: Quick cash, but constant grind.
• Passive: Wealth without management—“a beautiful way to grow together.”

Case Study: 26-Unit Chicago Deal

• Price: $2.7M (~$100k/unit)
• Rents: 2BR $1,550–1,600 (up to $1,780+); 3BR $1,750–1,800 (Section 8 up to $2,300)
• Plan: Light upgrades, long-term tenants
• Financing: Agency loans, non-recourse

Key Takeaways for High-Income Earners

• Use W-2 income for favorable loans.
• Start small—duplex/rental teaches fundamentals.
• Don’t ignore “blue states”—focus on numbers.
• Scale with multifamily—better economies of scale.

Coaching Round

• New Investors: Learn to read deals; vet sponsors.
• Balance: Decide priorities early, keep learning.
• Little Time/Money: Either learn by doing or bring value to experienced operators.
• Why Passive: Essential housing, steady cash flow, tax benefits (depreciation, cost seg).

Books:

• How to Win Friends & Influence People — Dale Carnegie
• $100M Offers — Alex Hormozi

Website: https://ericlindseyml.com/
Click On The Link Below To Schedule A Call With Eric:https://calendly.com/moonlightequitiesgroup/scheduled-conversation
Click On The Link Below For More Information About Eric Lindsey:
https://linktr.ee/ericlindsey